Latch



(No Model.)

S. H. FETHER.

LATGH.

No. 394,685. Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

QOitweooe a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON H. FETHER, OF PETTYSVILLE, OHIO.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,685, dated December18, 1888.

Application filed July 13, 1888. Serial No. 279,799- No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON H. FETHER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pettysville, in the county of Fulton and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches for Doors orGates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to latches for doors or gates, and has for itsobject to simplify and cheapen the construction of a latch which willautomatically lock the door or gate when closed and securely hold itfastened until released by pressure on a locking lever or pawl when thedoor or gate may be swung open.

To the accomplishment of such objects, so generally stated, and suchothers as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in thecombination of parts, hereinafter particularly described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, t'orn'lingaparthereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a gate and post with the latch appliedthereto, Fig. 2 is an end view, with the pin in section, showing thelatch in a locked position.

In the drawings, theletterA may designate the frame or posts, and B thedoor or gate swung or hinged thereto. The latch comprises the hook C,pivoted to a suitable supportsay to the plate or bracket Dand formedwith a ratchet, E, with which will engage a pawl, F, to lock the hookover a pin or stud, G, on the frame or post A. The hook is formed withthe two claws ll and ['I,which form a mouth or recess, in which the pinor stud G will lie when the door or gate is closed. The two claws alsoperform the function of assisting in locking and unlocking the latch,

fOljVllGll the door or gate is moved inwardly to close it the lower jaw,II, strikes against the pin or stud G, whereby the lower claw is movedbackward and the hook turned on its pivot, so as to bring the upper clawforward, over, and around the pin or stud G, and thus the pin or stud isclasped by the hook between its two claws and the gate or door islatched to its frame or post. Now,when the door or gate is moved outwardto open it, the pin or stud G presses against the claw H, so as to turnthe hook to bring its mouth in position to leave the pin or stud as thedoor or gate is thrown open, which movement also brings the lower jawinto position to be struck by the pin or stud when the door or gate isagain closed. As the door or gate is thrown open, the pawl F will beraised so as to be free from the ratchet E on the hook and will ride onthe hook as the latter is thrown backward; but when the hook is throwndown in closing the door or gate the pawl will drop behind the ratchetand thus lock the hookin a closed position, so that the door or gatecannot be opened until the pawl is released from engagement with theratchet on the hook.

The means employed for releasing the pawl is a crank-lever, I, whichmaybe formed integral with the pawl, as shown, and which passes throughthe right-angled extension D of the plate or bracket D, and then througha collar or journal-bearing, .I, on the bracket. \Vhen the door or gateis closed and the hook is in engagement with the pin or stud G, thehandle portion of the pawl-actuated lever stands out from the door orgate, and when it is pressed backward it releases the pawl from theratchet, so that the door or gate may be opened.

A spring, K, is employed to bear against the pawl, so as to hold it inengagement with the hook.

A recess, L, is preferably. formed in the rightangled extension of thebracket D, so as to receive the end of the pin or stud G, and a lip, M,is preferably made to project forward from the bracket, so as to set veas a guard and as a guide in opening and closing the door or gate.

The pin or stud (l is preferably formed with a slotted plate, Or, sothat by loosening the screw N the pin or stud may be adjusted up ordown, as necessity may require.

The latch, constructed as described, is simple in construction andinexpensive to produce, besides being strong and efficient for the useintended, and can be easily and quickly applied to any door or gate,whether already the hook in its closed position, the spring aot..

ing on the pawl, and the lever for releasing I 5 the pawl from theratchet to unlock the parts, substantially as and for thepurposes setforth.

2. The combination of the bracket, the pivoted. hook formed with the twoclaws and ratchet, the pawl to engage with said ratchet, 20

and the lever for releasing the pawl from the ratchet, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix m y signature in presence of two witnesses.

SIMON H. FETHER.

Witnesses:

R. L. STARR, WILLIAM JOHNSTON.

